The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-07-06
HIS HONOR THE JUDGE.

niS 1ONOh iftE JODCE.
The case of the State VS. John Luff wa
the sens,ion Of the day when landes
in Silverton.
Nv visit to this rough mining town wa
a matter of business, and j was somewha
annoyed to find that the people were in
ciined to talk of nothing but the kiliins
Of Henry Saxon and he trial of his mnr.
do r.
But the story of the crime interested
me in spite of myself. The murder had
occurred in the Metropolitan Hotel, the
very bodse in which | had engaged a
room for a week.
The scene of the killing was the room
next to mine. Several days before my
arrival the reom was occupied by JohIi
Lutf and Henry SaXon, two well-known
sporting men, VINO had been making Sill
Nerton their headquarters during the
winter. The two were chnms. but some
times they quarreled in their cups, and il
was no uncommon thing for them 10
tight After adjusting their differences.
however, they generally tumbled into
the same bed and slept like brothers.
Their last quarrel had fatal terinina-
ton. After a bout with their fists in the
hotel Office they retired to their room.
Later in the night loud shou; caused
several of the guests to rush in, and they
saw a spectacle that froze their blood.
On the bed was stretched the lifeless
form of Saxon, with crimson current
gushing from his breast. BY his side
stood Luff, one hand still bloody, and
his manner betraying ungovernable fear
andexcitement.
The Silyerton miners and tradesmen
were not long in coming to a conclusion.
The coroner's jury made il out case of
willful murder, and fastened the guilt
upon Luff. II was in vain that Luf ex-
pressed his horror. He declared that
some one bad entered the room. Awak-
Saxon and felt the warm blood flowing
from the wound springing to his feet
he turned on the light, and when he saw
his dripping hand and the dead body
of his friend, he gave frenzied cry for
help.
OF course, nobody believed this story.
To make the matter worse, small dag
ger belonging to Luf was missing from
IFS usual place on the mantel- 1t was
only too evident that the murderer had
stabbed his friend TO the heart with this
weapon, and had then concealed it, The
room was searched, but the dagger could
not be found. Doubtless Luf had thrown
il into the street, where il bad been
picked up by some person at present
unknown
There is little delay about frontier JUS
tice when a victim is wanted, and in this
instance the whole town clanored for
one Court was in session, and Judge
Pike shared the general excitement. He
was one of the guests at the Metropoli-
TAI, anu lnc lat hiisit iiS ioohi vac 'PPo-
site the one in which the murder was
committed naturally increased bis inter
est in the case.
With Judge Pike on the bench there
was little doubt covering the result. An
indictment was found in no time and the
trial opened on the second day of my stay
in Silverton
The defendants attorneys worked for
delay They hoped that q protraeted trial
would have the effect of cooling the hot
excitement of the hour.
spent the first day of the trial in the
court house. and watched the defendant
closely Luff had rather good face. 1t
was weak, but no, vicious, and as ] stud
led him, found myself sympathizing
with him.
That night had sin ,ularexperienee,
After supper spent couple of hours in
Judge Pixies room, and it did not take
me long to come TO the conclusion that
his Honor was a very peculiar man,
There was something wrong about him.
He could not be called crank, but his
nerves were a little out of order, and 1t
occurred to me thai he was liable To break
down at my time.
1t was past midnight when ] awoke.
Tae moonlight streamed into my room,
making every object in it plainly visible
Feeling thirsty, left my bed and went
behind little screen in one corner Of
the room. where the washstand stood, to
yet drink of water. While | was there
| heard the door open softly. This was
not surprising as the hotel was rude
affair, and very few of the doors were
provided with locks and keys. The
thought Of saxon's fate made me a little
timid, and remained quietly behind
the screen, awaiting further develop
ments
To my unuterable establishment,
who should enter the door but Judge
Pike.
Ny first impulse was 10 speak, but what
| saw silenced me. The Judge was in his
night clothes One look at his face con-
WINGED me that he was asleep. In his
right hand he carried dagger.
What was TO do with this SOM
nambulist. II would be dangerous to
awaken him. decided to wait and
watch.
With stealthy steps the Judge advanc-
ed to the side Of the bed. He felt eau
tiousiy with his left hand until he felt a
bunch in the covering and then, with the
rapidity OF lightning, he drovehis dagger
into the bedclo,hes up to the hilt. He
did not tarry second, but quietly van
ished from the room, closing the door af-
ter him.
As soon as | could | barricaded the
door with several pieces of furniture.
Then / sa, down to think the matter
over.
If the Judge was asomnambulist, there
was no telling what he mightdo. Worse